Planting and caring for homemade lemons, how often to water and what to feed indoors

The lemon tree has been known to mankind since time immemorial. Its fruits have become the property of not only culinary masters, but also doctors. Indonesia is considered the birthplace of this plant. Residents of this country were the first to domesticate citrus and began to study its properties. Nowadays, homemade decorative lemons can often be found in city apartments, but not all their owners know that under certain conditions a beautiful tree can not only please with lush flowering, but also bear fruit.

Varieties suitable for home cultivation

Lemon is not just a decorative bush in the house. With proper care and compliance with the conditions of agricultural technology, as well as the right choice of variety, you can get a harvest of healthy fruits from it and provide yourself with a supply of vitamins for the winter. However, not all species are suitable for growing indoors.

Meyer

The fruits of this variety are small in size, round in shape and rich yellow in color, even close to orange. The peel is very thin, there is no lumpiness. Meyer - early ripening lemon, the harvest of which can be harvested already 8 months after the appearance of buds.

According to reviews, its fruits do not tolerate transportation over long distances and also have high acidity.

Pavlovsky

This variety begins to bear fruit in indoor conditions 3-4 years after planting. The ripening period for lemons ranges from 9 to 10 months, and if the lighting level is insufficient, the process lasts about 1 year. The fruits are yellow in color, very juicy, and often have no seeds at all. When overripe, they tend to lose their marketability and taste, so experienced florists recommend harvesting lemons in a timely manner.

Citrofortunella Vulcan

The variety requires an abundance of sunlight and moisture.These conditions must be taken into account, although its soil requirements are minimal. In summer, it is good to take homemade lemon outside. The fruits reach 4 cm in length, which compares favorably with competitors.

Anniversary

This lemon can bloom in the first year after planting. Fruiting is abundant, the fruits are large, and at the stage of technical ripeness they are yellow in color. The variety prefers shade for growing and tolerates dry indoor air well.

Lunario

With proper care, this lemon can produce two harvests in a year. The plant is very unpretentious and has a high yield. The fruits are medium in size and may vary depending on the time of year. At the stage of technical ripeness they have a yellow color.

Planting lemon at home

In order for a lemon to please its owners with its decorative qualities and healthy fruits, it is necessary not only to plant it correctly, but also to provide optimal conditions, and also to follow the rules of agricultural technology.

Variety selection and seed preparation

We must remember that lemon does not tolerate acclimatization well. If you decide to buy a ready-made tree right away, you should immediately make sure that it was not brought from warm countries, but propagated from a houseplant growing in a similar climate. You can propagate the crop in two ways:

• graft;
• cuttings

You should purchase seedlings only from reputable retail outlets that value their reputation. Preference should be given to those lemons that have been grafted onto Trifoliate. They are considered the most suitable for our region.

As for the variety, the optimal choice would be:

• Lisbon;
• Maikopsky;
• Meyer;
• Genoa;
• Pavlovsky;
• Kursk;
• Lunario.

In indoor conditions, these varieties of lemons show the best results and do not cause much trouble to the owners.

Optimal soil composition

Soil for growing lemons You can use either store-bought or home-made. In this case, a drainage layer consisting of a mixture of ash and sand is placed on the bottom of the pot. Next, a nutritious soil mixture is prepared, consisting of forest soil, humus, wood ash and river sand.

The ratio of components is as follows:

• forest soil - 2 cups;
• sand - 1 glass;
• humus - 3 tablespoons;
• wood ash - 1 tablespoon.

The resulting soil mixture is mixed with water until a thick mass is obtained, the consistency of sour cream. It is poured into the pot until the lemon roots are completely covered.

Pot size

The material from which the pot for growing lemon is made can be any. But regarding the size, there is an important requirement: the upper diameter of the container should not exceed 15 cm. Its height is selected in the range from 15 to 20 cm. It is not advisable to purchase a tall pot, since the root system of the lemon tree is not deep.

Planting scheme

Planting a lemon begins with filling the pot one third with the prepared soil mixture. After this, the tree is carefully inserted into the container, the roots are straightened and covered with the same mixture. There should be a little space left to the edge of the vessel to allow for further watering. The root neck of the lemon is buried 5 mm into the ground so that with abundant and constant watering it does not rot.

Stages of tree development

How long a lemon tree grows before it begins to bloom and bear fruit directly depends on the variety and the chosen propagation method.The average term is 5 years. Some plants are pleased with the harvest within a couple of years, but from others they expect a miracle within a decade.

Growth period

Lemon actively grows and increases its green mass during the first 4 years. At this time, it is not advisable to allow it to bear fruit, so that the sprout does not lose vitality. In subsequent years, when the tree bears fruit, growth will no longer be as active. The fruits take away many useful substances and microelements, as a result of which the growth processes are suspended.

Blooms

Some varieties of lemons bloom within the first year after planting. Sprouts grown from seed do not bloom for 8 years.

To speed up this procedure, it is recommended to graft the plant. This procedure is carried out at the age of 1-1.5 years.

Fruiting

When does a grafted lemon seedling begin to bear fruit? As a rule, 3 years after the scion. Some varieties produce their first harvest in the second year. Lemon fruits ripen in 5 to 10 months, and if there is a lack of light, these periods can be delayed for several months.

Caring for an indoor tree

You need to know how to properly care for your homemade lemon so that it pleases you not only with its decorative qualities, but also with its healthy fruits. The plant must be fertilized on time, irrigated and pruned correctly, and also replanted from time to time.

Lighting

Uniform lighting is recommended for growing lemon. It is difficult to provide it in a residential apartment, so experienced florists recommend turning the plant pot daily. For normal development of citrus fruits, a 12-hour daylight hours is ideal. In winter, it is better to artificially put the tree into a dormant state.

Humidity and temperature

It can be difficult to create ideal conditions for growing lemons in an apartment.A constant air temperature is important to them, since the plant reacts very painfully to changes. During the growing season, this indicator is maintained at 22-24 °C, and during fruit ripening - about 18 °C. Lemons overwinter at +10 °C. As for humidity, in the warm season its level should not fall below 60%, and in the cold season - below 40%.

Watering

How often do you water citrus trees in the summer? Lemons need regular watering. The formation of a dry earthen lump in the upper part of the pot is unacceptable. In hot weather, daily irrigation may be required. Tap water containing a lot of chlorine should not be used to irrigate citrus plants. This can lead to various diseases, including leaf chlorosis. It is better to use well or rain water with a temperature of 30 - 35 ° C.

The lemon is irrigated until water flows from the bottom holes of the pot. Excess liquid is simply drained from the pan. The foliage is sprayed with a spray bottle a couple of times a day.

Crown formation

Lemon tree pruning They are carried out mainly in the spring, although this work can be carried out in the fall and winter. Forming the crown is a necessary measure, since a thickened tree needs more daylight and also bears scanty fruit. The seedling is pruned for the first time when it reaches a height of 20 cm. Initially, the main trunk of the tree is pruned at a height of 30 cm.

Over time, side shoots grow in this place, from which skeletal branches are formed. Lemon fruits will form and ripen on them.

Branches of the 1st and 2nd orders are pruned at a height of 25 cm, 3rd - 15 cm, 4th - 10 cm. Subsequent orders are not pruned at all. Those shoots that interfere with the growth of young branches must be completely removed.

Transfer

Lemon must be replanted in the following cases:

• the plant grew and became cramped in the old container;
• signs of root rot were detected;
• the pot accidentally broke;
• the tree stopped actively growing and bearing fruit abundantly.

The transplant procedure itself is similar to landing. The transshipment is carried out together with a lump of earth, while carefully examining the condition of the root system of the lemon tree. If an unpleasant putrid odor emanates from it, or other signs of root rot are noticed, then all damaged roots are immediately removed.

Fertilizers

How to feed lemons to activate growth processes and speed up fruiting? A complex fertilizer would be a suitable option, but it must be used as carefully as possible and strictly follow the instructions and recommendations. Otherwise, an overdose will occur, and instead of the desired result of healing, the plant will begin to wither, get sick, or even disappear altogether.

Mineral

Of the mineral fertilizers for lemons, saltpeter is most often used. It helps eliminate nitrogen starvation and activates growth processes. It is advisable to add potassium salts there. Superphosphate will relieve phosphorus deficiency. It can be placed in the soil where the lemon grows, in the form of granules, or dissolved in water and watered the plant. However, this fertilizer takes a long time to dissolve.

Organic

Only 2 types of organic matter are suitable for growing lemons: diluted mullein and chicken droppings. Thanks to its rich composition, mullein provides a supply of all the necessary vitamins and microelements, as a result of which the lemon tree fully grows and develops. Urea is rarely used to feed plants. To prevent the development of diseases and neutralize the acidity of the soil, it is sprinkled with wood ash.This is not only a natural antiseptic, but also a wonderful nutrition.

You cannot combine mineral and organic fertilizers, because this can cause burns to the lemon root system.

Signs of micronutrient deficiency

The lack of various microelements in lemons manifests itself in different ways. With nitrogen deficiency, the tree stops growing and changes the color of the leaves. Due to a lack of phosphorus, the plant cannot bear fruit abundantly. After abundant flowering of the lemon tree, ovaries do not form; in the acute form, blackening and falling of the leaves are observed.

A lack of potassium is reflected in insufficient elasticity of fruits, prolonged ripening, and discoloration of leaves. Potassium deficiency affects the development of the lemon root system, which leads to malnutrition. As a result, the upper shoots begin to die off.

If there is a lack of microelements in the soil, light specks appear on the lemon leaves, and over time they fall off.

In order for the plant to be healthy and make its owner happy, it is necessary to carefully monitor these signs and take preventive measures in a timely manner.

Fruit ripening period and harvest

How long does it take for a lemon to ripen on a tree? On average, harvesting begins 3-4 months after flowering ends. As a rule, this time falls at the beginning - mid-winter. The ripeness of fruits is determined by color and taste. If the bush bears fruit abundantly, then you can pick one fruit, cut it and taste it. If there is too much acid, you will have to wait a couple more weeks.

It is not recommended to leave a ripe lemon harvest on the tree longer than January, otherwise fruiting may be delayed next year. In addition, by this time the fruits are wrinkled, which indicates that they are overripe.

What problems do they face when growing

Like any plant, the lemon tree is susceptible to a number of diseases and pests. Florists have invented ways to prevent and combat them.

Pests

The main pests that cause problems for gardeners growing lemons at home are:

• spider mite;
• aphid;
• scale insect;
• whitefly;
• Mealybugs.

You can escape from them if you prepare a tincture of garlic and periodically treat the lemon tree with it. In case of mass damage, they resort to the use of chemical insecticidal preparations.

Diseases

What does a sick lemon tree look like? As a rule, it has yellowed leaves and drooping branches. Such symptoms can be caused not only by the negative impact of pests, but also by improper care or failure to comply with basic agricultural technology conditions. Lack of lighting, violations of temperature conditions or air temperature and humidity should be corrected immediately. Otherwise, the lemon may completely wither.

Lemon dries and doesn't grow

Troubles sometimes occur with a young lemon tree in the form of stunted growth and drying out of the shoots. They are caused both by a lack of nutrients and by a simple lack of space in the pot. If the lemon roots are not cramped in their container, and there are no signs of root rot, then care should be taken to ensure that the plant receives the full range of necessary microelements and minerals.